Scots children sent to St Mary's Kenmure secure facility by courts face 'serious risk' to life, report finds

The Care Inspectorate believes young people sent to a secure facility in East Dunbartonshire by the courts could be facing a “serious risk” amid “significant concerns” with the care provided.

St Mary’s Kenmure, in Bishopbriggs, is the largest facility of its kind in Scotland, caring for 24 young people referred from the courts and children’s hearings, in four separate housing units.

Those living on the site receive care and education from staff who are registered with the Scottish Social Services Council and General Teaching Council, according to the facility’s website.

However, the Care Inspectorate has said it has “significant concerns” with the quality of care provided to young people at the East Dunbartonshire facility, adding there is a “serious risk” to the life of young people on site if more people were admitted to the service.

As a result, St Mary’s Kenmure has been issued with a prevention notice over any new admissions to the site.

The watchdog is currently working alongside the Scottish Government to provide care to the young people who need it.

A spokesperson for the Care Inspectorate said: “An inspection has identified serious and significant concerns about the quality of care experienced by young people at St Mary’s Kenmure in East Dunbartonshire.

“We understand this is a difficult and distressing time for young people, their families and staff at the service.

“However, our first priority is always the health and wellbeing of young people.

“Because of our concerns about the safety of young people we have issued an Improvement Notice to the service. This sets out the significant improvements that must be made within a specified timeframe.

“We have also added a condition to the service’s registration preventing any new admissions from taking place.

“We have done this because there is a serious risk to the life, health or wellbeing of people currently using the service if more young people were admitted to the service at this time.

“The Care Inspectorate is working closely with partners, including Scottish Government, to ensure that young people experience appropriate care during this difficult time.

“We have made clear to the service that we expect all young people affected to be supported appropriately.

“Any families concerned about a child affected should contact their social worker or contact the care inspectorate on 0345 600 9527.”

A spokesperson from St Mary’s Kenmure said the facility is taking the findings “very seriously” and action to improve the care available is already being taken.

They said: “We take the Care Inspectorate’s findings very seriously and we have taken action to make immediate improvements to ensure safe staffing levels and the protection of children.

“We will work with the Care Inspectorate and Scottish Government to ensure that the required improvements are made and sustained.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “We are deeply concerned to learn of the issues identified by the Care Inspectorate during a recent inspection of St Mary’s Kenmure, an independent charitable provider of secure accommodation in Scotland.

“The safety and wellbeing of children in secure accommodation is paramount and we understand that St Mary’s board and leadership have committed to undertake the necessary improvements within the required timescale.

“We will work with St Mary’s and the Care Inspectorate to support the service and to monitor the improvement that the service has promised to undertake.”